Kashima-Shinryū (鹿島神流?) is a nearly 500 years old Japanese koryu martial art. The art was somewhat popularized in the 20th century by Kunii Zen'ya (1894-1966), the 18th generation soke (headmaster). The Current 'Soke' is 21st Generation Kunii Masakatsu. The line is still headed by the Kunii family but is more or less honorific as the responsibility for the preservation and teaching of the ryu is instilled in a 'Shihanke' - currently represented by Seki Humitake. 'Shihanke' roughly translates as 'instructors house' and is something which is not uncommon in Koryu Bujutsu.
The name Kashima refers to Kashima Shrine that is located in Kashima, Ibaraki Prefecture. Kashima-Shinryū includes kenjutsu, battojutsu, jojutsu, jujutsu, kusarigama, and several other skills in its curriculum.
It should not be confused with other Japanese koryu with similar names, Kashima Shinto-ryu and Kashima Shinden.
References
- Friday, Karl F. with Seki Humitake, Legacies of the Sword: The Kashima-Shinryu and Samurai Martial Culture, Honolulu: University of Hawai'i Press, 1997.
External links
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